Category: short stories

     [A very short story for you today. – FWP]      The atheist eyed the vial of elixir warily. “What does it do?”      The salesman replied in a monotone. “It bestows physical immortality and permanent, youthful vitality.”      “Why haven’t you taken it?”      The salesman smiled. “What makes you think I haven’t?”      …

Continue reading

     [Now and then, I stumble over an entirely original, brilliant idea that another writer has tossed off as if it’s merely a trivial component of his tale, without bothering to explore its wider implications. For me, that’s a head-shaker. There aren’t all that many original, brilliant ideas around at any moment; they shouldn’t be …

Continue reading

     [A short story for you today. In light of the advancing Christmas season, and in recognition of the acceleration of Islamic imperialism in the West, I thought it might be an appropriate time to post this old Onteora tale. — FWP]      Kevin Conway noticed Hajj al-Siddiqui’s entrance to the Onteora Aviation Christmas party …

Continue reading

     [A short story for you today. This one is for all the men in overalls and hardhats. The ones with dirt under their fingernails. The guys who actually make things work. If they were ever to down tools and mean it, we prissy white-collar types wouldn’t survive a single winter. – FWP]      I’m …

Continue reading

     [A short story for you today, as I’m rather tired and need to spend some time recharging my batteries. The subject matter of this one may disturb or displease some readers. Please remember that it’s fiction. And remember this as well: no matter what the war is about, or who did what to whom …

Continue reading

     [A short story for you. The corruption of the 2020 presidential balloting has had me thinking about what the Right might do to counter further attempts in that direction. Perhaps the idea encapsulated in this story would suffice, though I’m sure there would be the most vigorous of protests from the Left. – FWP …

Continue reading

     [A short story for you today. New residents in an old, well-established neighborhood must observe the customs of the place. If they want to be accepted, that is. — FWP]      Andrew stepped out of the dense thicket of trees and into a clearing of sorts. About ten yards ahead stood a row of …

Continue reading

     [A short story for you today, from my friend F. James Dagg. James has a gift I lack: the ability to grab you by the heart and squeeze with a bare few hundred words. The following is a fine example of his prowess. — FWP]      His heart shivered when he saw the return …

Continue reading

     [A short story for you this evening. Not everyone aspires to greatness. Quite a lot of us have no ambitions of that magnitude. But think about the children of a family of great wealth and power. Think about the pressures that might be put on them. Not all of them will respond the way …

Continue reading

     [A short story for you today. Some “great events” are, in point of fact, merely resultants. They’re preceded by much smaller and less visible events that made them, if not inevitable, at least overwhelmingly likely. If there’s a great event to come, where should we look for the seemingly insignificant precursors that will precipitate …

Continue reading

     [I’d vacillated among subjects for a tirade much of the morning, when I realized that I’ve been drained of the verve required for the pursuit. So instead, have a short story from F. J. Dagg. It first appeared at Liberty’s Torch V1.0 in November of 2020.      James’s imagination seems to admit to no …

Continue reading

     [A short story for you, inspired by an observation from retired World Chess Champion Garry Kasparov. — FWP] ***      “We’re not getting anywhere,” Percy growled.      “Did you expect to?” I said. “I’d say that was rather the point.”      “But why? “Don’t they have as much to lose from this as the …

Continue reading